5 Things to Know Before Buying 3D Acoustic Wall Felt Panel

Soundproofing panels have become an important tool for many people decorating their homes. They want to make their space sound more comfortable and quieter. Not only do these soundproof panels improve sound quality and reduce noise, but they also make a room look better. However, it is important to understand the safety of soundproofing panels before you buy them.

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This question often comes up for buyers concerned about practicality and health. This blog post will tell you the important things you should consider before purchasing soundproofing panels. We will discuss in depth what you need to know before investing in soundproofing panels. For example, fire safety, material composition, and interior air quality. Let&#;s get to the bottom of soundproof panels so that your next purchase is the perfect combination of safety and performance.

Are Acoustic Panels Safe?

Soundproofing panels are becoming increasingly popular as they can improve the sound quality and how a room sounds. However, it&#;s normal to worry about their safety before letting them into your room. This section will discuss some common concerns and introduce you to the safety of soundproof panels.

Fire Safety

When it comes to any interior product, including acoustic panels, fire safety is very important. Knowing the fire rating of the acoustic panels you are buying is important to ensure the safety of your premises.

Choose acoustic panels that are certified and meet well-known fire safety standards. These certifications show that the panels have undergone extensive testing and meet specific fire safety rules.

Material Composition

The safety of soundproofing panels depends a lot on the material they are made of. Different types of materials can be used, but it is important to know what impact they may have on the world and your health.

Polyester, derived from recycled plastic bottles, is becoming a more popular material for soundproof walls. Not only does this extend the lifespan of your soundproof walls. But it also means that not as many new raw materials are needed. Also, make sure that the soundproofing panels do not contain any dangerous chemicals. And that all safety regulations are followed.

Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air quality is important for maintaining a safe and healthy atmosphere. Acoustic panels can alter indoor air quality. Especially formaldehyde and volatile organic compound (VOC) pollution. A chemical called VOC is produced in some materials, such as some acoustic panels.

It is important to choose panels with low VOC emissions, which can be seen on their certification. In addition, formaldehyde releases should be minimized, as formaldehyde is known to contaminate the air in buildings. To improve indoor air quality, choose panels that meet formaldehyde emission standards.

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Installation Safety

It is very important to install the acoustic panels correctly so as to ensure their working performance and safety. To avoid collision or damage, always follow the manufacturer&#;s installation instructions and recommendations.

Use the correct mounting system and tools to mount the acoustic panels safely to the wall or ceiling. Taking the right safety measures during installation will help keep the panels in good condition and keep everyone in the room safe.

By taking these safety concerns into account, you will be able to make an informed choice when purchasing acoustic panels. In the next section, we&#;ll go over the fire safety ratings, material composition, and certifications of acoustic panels. This will give you a comprehensive understanding of the safety of acoustic panels.

Are Acoustic Panels a Fire Hazard?

When adding any interior products (including acoustic panels) to a room. Fire safety is an important issue to consider. This section will answer the question of whether acoustic panels are a fire risk and introduce measures to ensure the safety of acoustic panels.

Fire Resistance Rating

We test acoustic wall panels to determine their fire resistance. These ratings show the fire resistance of the acoustic wall panels and make the premises safer in the event of a fire. Choose acoustic wall panels that are certified and meet well-known fire safety standards.

Fire ratings are usually classified as Class A, B, or C, with Class A being the highest. It&#;s important to understand the fire performance of your acoustic panels so you can make an informed choice and ensure the safety of your space.

Regulations and Certifications

Some different guidelines and certifications can be used to check if acoustic panels are fire-resistant. You should look for acoustic panels that meet these standards as they have been tested and certified to deal with fire.

The European standard EN -1, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 286, and ASTM E84 are examples of relevant certifications. These certifications show that fire-rated panels have undergone extensive testing and meet certain fire safety standards.

Eliminate Fire Hazards

Make sure that the acoustic panels you choose are planned and manufactured with fire safety in mind. Some companies use fire-resistant materials or processes when making soundproof panels, which makes them safer in the event of a fire. It is also important to consider where and how the soundproofing walls are installed to ensure that fire safety regulations are adhered to.

Using proper placement methods, such as leaving enough space between things and not blocking fire escapes or sprinkler systems, can improve overall fire safety.

If you are aware of the fire ratings, certifications, and concerns about fire hazards for soundproofing panels. You&#;ll be able to ensure that the soundproofing panels you choose prioritize fire safety. In the next section, we&#;ll discuss how formaldehyde emissions and volatile organic compounds affect indoor air quality. This will bring up more questions about soundproofing panel safety.

Are Acoustic Panels Toxic?

Soundproof walls can improve the appearance of a room in addition to its functionality. However, it is important to answer concerns about the dangers of these acoustic wall panels. This section will discuss the harmful chemicals that may be present in acoustic wall panels. Such as formaldehyde emissions, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), or chemicals used in the manufacturing process.

Formaldehyde Emissions

Formaldehyde is a naturally occurring compound that can be found in many things, such as certain building materials. If formaldehyde is present in large quantities or released over a long period, it can be harmful to human health.

It&#;s important to know how much formaldehyde is released from soundproofing panels. Look for acoustic panels that meet formaldehyde release standards and have been tested to ensure safety. Manufacturers who care about indoor air quality often offer certification for low formaldehyde levels.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC)

VOCs are organic chemicals that can easily and quickly evaporate into the air at room temperature due to their high vapor pressure. Some acoustic panels may contain VOCs, which can reduce healthy levels of indoor air or even cause health problems.

When choosing soundproofing panels, select those that do not release large amounts of VOCs. For a healthier indoor environment, look for certifications or third-party testing that demonstrate low levels of VOCs.

Red Listed Chemicals

The use of Red List chemicals in the manufacturing process can raise concerns about the dangers of acoustic panels. The International Living Future Institute (ILFI) has developed the &#;Red List&#; of chemicals that are harmful to people and the planet.

To make a space safer, it&#;s important to stay away from items that contain chemicals on the Red List. Choose soundproofing panels that do not contain any of the chemicals on the &#;red list&#; and are manufactured in a way that is not harmful to the planet.

With these toxicity-related factors in mind, you&#;ll be able to make an informed choice about soundproofing panels. In the next section, we will further discuss how acoustic panels affect indoor air quality. The focus will be on how acoustical panels strike a balance between acoustical performance and thermal comfort.

will Acoustic Panels Make Your Room Hotter?

When it comes to room comfort, temperature control is an important issue to consider. This section will answer the question of whether acoustic panels raise the temperature of a room and discuss how they affect thermal mass.

Insulation and Heat Transfer

Soundproofing panels, especially those with additional insulation, can alter the flow of heat in a room. Insulation stops the flow of heat from inside the room to the outside, thus keeping the room at a comfortable temperature. Acoustic panels may not produce heat, but they can help lower temperatures and use energy more efficiently by insulating.

Air Movement and Ventilation

In order to create a comfortable indoor environment, air flow and ventilation must occur properly. If acoustic panels are properly installed, they will not obstruct vents or prevent air from flowing through the room. To ensure adequate air circulation and cooling, you should consider the location and spacing of the acoustic panels.

Considerations for Each Room

While the temperature of a room may change due to acoustic panels. However, this depends on the size of the room, the number of acoustic panels used, and how well the entire space is insulated. Due to the insulating properties of the acoustic panels, they may sometimes make the room slightly warmer. Overall, though, this effect is usually minimal and can be mitigated by good airflow and temperature control systems.

Thermal Comfort Solutions

If you are concerned about a possible increase in room temperature, there are alternatives to installing acoustic panels. There are many ways to improve thermal comfort. These include using an HVAC system that uses less energy, making sure the rest of the room is properly insulated, covering windows, or using shading devices to control heat and sunlight.

With these factors in mind, you&#;ll be able to find a good balance between the sound and temperature of your space. In the next section, we&#;ll discuss how watertight soundproof panels are and their suitability for use in wet areas.

Can Soundproof Panels Take on Water?

It is important to consider water resistance when using acoustic panels in wet or high-humidity areas. This section will answer the question of whether acoustic panels are waterproof and talk about where they can be used in areas prone to moisture.

Material Composition and Waterproofness

The waterproofness of soundproof panels can be affected by the materials they are made of. While many soundproof walls are waterproof, it&#;s still important to check the manufacturer&#;s instructions. Look for acoustic panels that are labeled waterproof or treated with a waterproof coating.

Moisture Resistance Rating

Different types of acoustic panels are not equally waterproof. Some acoustic panels may work better in areas where there is a lot of moisture in the air, such as showers or pool areas. And some acoustic panels may work better in dry or only slightly damp areas. Consider where the panels are going to be placed and make your choice accordingly to ensure that they are durable even in wet areas.

How to Waterproof and Maintain

In addition to the fact that acoustic panels are naturally waterproof. The way they are installed and maintained is also very important to their ability to resist water. Make sure you install the acoustic panels according to the manufacturer&#;s instructions. Including using the correct glue and sealant. The waterproofing properties of acoustic panels can also be maintained through regular cleaning and maintenance.

Specialized Waterproof Acoustic Panels

Specialized waterproof acoustic panels are suitable for use in areas where there is a lot of rain or where waterproofing is a requirement. These acoustic panels can be exposed to water for long periods and are more resistant to damage caused by water than other materials. If your space requires better waterproofing, these options may be worth checking out.

You can choose waterproof acoustic panels by looking at the type of material used, how waterproof it is, and how often it needs to be maintained. We&#;ll summarize the points talked about in this blog post for you in the next section. This will help you make an informed choice when purchasing soundproofing panels.

Summarizing

Many times, soundproof walls are used to improve the sound and appearance of a room. We talked about the safety of soundproofing panels in this blog post. This includes concerns about the toxicity, fire risk, thermal performance, and water resistance of acoustic panels. If you are aware of these issues, you will be able to choose the right acoustic panels for your application.

You should pick sound panels that are safe for your home and don&#;t give off too many chemicals that can be bad for you. You should also follow fire safety rules. Think about how formaldehyde affects the air quality inside your home, and pick soundproofing panels that have low amounts of formaldehyde. Even though acoustic walls can cut out noise, just make sure there is adequate air circulation and control systems in place to deal with any temperature changes.

In humid areas, it is also important to check the water or moisture resistance of the acoustic wall panels. By taking these safety issues into account and choosing acoustic panels that meet your needs. And you can create a room that is not only well-insulated but also safe and comfortable.

Be sure to check the certificates, follow the installation instructions, and choose acoustic panels that are manufactured in a safe and environmentally friendly way. You will enjoy the benefits of the acoustic panels while at the same time ensuring the health of the people who live or work there.

We hope you have gained a better understanding of the safety aspects of acoustic panels. If you have any further questions or concerns. Please feel free to contact an acoustic solutions specialist or manufacturer.

Related Post

Acoustic Panels 101: The Ultimate Buyer&#;s Guide

In the recording studio, acoustic panels are a cornerstone of any good acoustic treatment plan.

While they may not absorb the low end as well as your bass traps, they do perform the entirely separate task of killing standing waves between parallel walls.

And it&#;s this issue specifically, that is especially problematic in the small cubical rooms of most home recording studios.

So to help you tackle this challenge, in this ultimate guide I&#;m going to teach you everything you know on this all-important topic.

So here&#;s what we&#;re about to cover:

First up&#;

Commercial Acoustic Panels vs Homemade DIY Panels

What you may not know is, building homemade DIY acoustic panels is actually a lot more common than you&#;d imagine.

It does require some trips to Home Depot, and basic carpentry skills, but it can potentially save you a lot of money.

Commercially bought acoustic panels however, while pricier, have the main advantage of being performance tested.

So you actually know for sure that they&#;re doing what they&#;re supposed to.

Many newbie studio owners make the common mistake of using materials such as carpeting, cardboard cup holders, or egg crate foam, which absorb the higher frequencies while allowing the low ones to remain.

And all this does is make the room sound dull and bassy.

So here&#;s what I&#;d recommend. If this is your first time around with this stuff, just buy them online.

And I recommend this route, mainly because you need to first get familiar with the &#;sound of a studio&#;.

Gain a few years of experience first, so you know what a good room should sound like, and what a bad room sounds like. THEN, if you want to later, experiment on your own with homemade panels.

So up next&#;

The 3 Key Features of Acoustic Panel Design

When you shop for acoustic foam online, there are 3 key features that you&#;ll have to consider.

First there&#;s the THICKNESS.

2&#; is the industry standard. While 4&#; is premium and more expensive.

Thicker is always technically better, but for their purposes, 2&#; is good enough, and what I&#;d recommend. Later in this post I&#;ll show you a mounting trick to make them just as effective as the 4&#; foam.

Next there&#;s the SURFACE PATTERN.

Panels typically have some type of 3D pattern on their outer surface. Wedged and Pyramid are the two most common.

These patterns do affect performance slightly, but the differences are minimal. So feel free to choose by aesthetics.

Next there&#;s the SQUARE FOOTAGE of the package.

The standard bundles normally come in packages of 6, 12, or 24. In sizes of 1ft², 2ft², or 2ft×4ft.

But the real number to pay attention to is the total square footage of coverage. A good starting point for most home studios is around 48ft².

This usually means:

48 &#; 1ft² panels

12 &#; 2ft² panels

6 &#; 2×4 ft panels

Any of these will work fine, but I&#;d generally recommend smaller panels because they are lighter and easier to mount with temporary adhesives that won&#;t damage your wall.

Up next&#;

NRC Ratings vs SRC Ratings: What&#;s the Difference?

Product descriptions typically include a &#;Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating&#; between 0 and 1.

The higher the number, the greater the absorption.

While this number may seem important, the truth is&#;it&#;s pretty much worthless for recording studios. And here&#;s why:

The test to determine this number only measures absorption at 4 frequencies:

Hz

Hz

500 Hz

250 Hz

Which means that no measurements are done below 250 Hz, where virtually all problematic frequencies in the studio exist.

That is why a different metric, known as Sound Absorption Coefficient (SRC), gives a much better representation of true performance.

Because this number measures absorption at a specific narrow band of frequencies. Unfortunately, it&#;s pretty uncommon these days to see SRC numbers actually posted.

For more information, please visit 3D Acoustic Wall Felt Panel.

Up next&#;

The 10 Best Acoustic Panel Packs on the Market Today

At this point, you&#;ve learned everything you need to know to choose a package that suits your room and budget.

And to save you a ton of painful research, I&#;ve already done all the heavy lifting for you&#;narrowing the options down to the 10 most popular and well-reviewed acoustic panel packs on the market today.

Each one is made by a top-name brand so there&#;s no question of what you&#;ll be getting.

For smaller rooms here&#;s what I recommend:

Auralex DST 112 &#; (B&H)

Auralex DST 114 &#; (Amazon)

DMSKY Self-Adhesive &#; (Amazon)

Fstop Wedge &#; (Amazon)

Auralex Wedge 1ft² &#; (Amazon/B&H)

Auralex Sonoflat 1ft² &#; (Amazon/B&H)

And for larger rooms, I&#;d recommend these instead:

Auralex D36 Designer Series &#; (B&H/Thomann)

Auralex 2ft² Pyramid &#; (Amazon/B&H)

Auralex 2×4 Pyramid &#; (Amazon/B&H)

Auralex Sonoflat 2ft² &#; (B&H)

Up next&#;

How to Build Homemade DIY Acoustic Panels

Maybe you already have some experience with commercial acoustic panels and you&#;d like to try something new.

Or maybe you&#;re just the handyman type and think it will be fun.

Or maybe you saw the prices in the previous section, and decided this is a better solution.

Regardless of your particular reason, you can easily build your own homemade panels with a little patience, and a few basic components.

So here are the tools you&#;ll need:

Hammer/nails

 &#; to construct the frame

Glue

&#; to secure the insulation within the frame

Staple gun/scissors

 &#; to secure and trim the outer fabric

Mounting brackets

 &#; to mount the finished panel to the wall

Next, here are the materials you&#;ll need:

Wood

 &#; to construct a standard-sized 2ft by 4ft frame.

Fabric

&#; to cover up the exposed insulation and give the finished panel a nice look.

Owens Corning 703

 &#; which is a special type of fiberglass that costs about 1/5th the price of acoustic foam and is just as effective

While the wood and fabric can be easily bought at any local home improvement store, Owens Corning 703 is not available everywhere, so you may have to order it online instead.

Once you&#;ve got everything you need, here&#;s a great video I found that walks you through the entire building process step-by-step:

 

Moving on&#;

How to Mount Acoustic Panels in the Corners of the Room

Once your acoustic panels are built (or arrive in the mail), it&#;s time to mount them in your room.

Assuming you already have bass traps, and have mounted them according to the recommendations in this post&#;

The next step is to make sure the area directly behind your studio monitors is covered, especially if those monitors have a rear-facing bass port.

The third step is to cover the open dihedral corners (shown in the picture as blue lines) with acoustic panels.

With commercial foam, fold your panels around the corner as shown below, remembering to leave an air gap for added low-end absorption.

With homemade panels, position them diagonally across the corner like this:

Make sure you don&#;t use them all just yet though, because there&#;s still more area to cover on the walls.

Here&#;s how it&#;s done:

How to Position Acoustic Panels for Maximum Wall Coverage

Depending on the severity of a room&#;s acoustic problems&#;the ideal wall coverage could vary anywhere between 20-80%.

And the only way to know for sure, is to constantly re-test the acoustics after each new panel, using the clap test as described in this post.

It&#;s entirely possible that you may not even need every panel to reach the sound you&#;re after.  

Because at a certain point, adding more panels than you need will only make the room sound uncomfortably dead.

In most cases though, home studios have fewer than the ideal number of panels. So to get maximum results from a shortage of panels, here&#;s what you do:

When covering an area of one wall, leave its reflection point open on the opposite wall&#;because one panel is sufficient to kill standing waves in that spot.

And if those instructions are too confusing, check out the diagram above, and it&#;ll be crystal-clear.

Up next..

How to Mount the Panels Without Ruining Your Wall

In home recording studios, where acoustic foam installations are unlikely to be permanent, there&#;s always the big worry of damaging your walls.

You also want to avoid damaging the acoustic foam itself, in case you ever want to take them down and sell them.

So the challenge here is to find an adhesive strong enough to support the weight of the foam, yet weak enough to be cleanly removed at any time..

Unfortunately, since every wall/paint job is different, there is no single solution that works in all cases.  Which is why so many products exist to solve this one problem.

So up next&#;

3 Adhesive Strength Options for Mounting Your Acoustic Panels

Auralex more so than any other company, has developed a wide variety of adhesives to choose from for this one purpose.

Here are their 3 options:

Auralex TubeTak Pro &#; (Amazon/B&H/Thomann)

Auralex FoamTak &#; (Amazon/B&H)

Auralex EZ-stick &#; (Amazon/B&H)

TubeTak is the strongest, but can be difficult to remove.  EZ-stick is the weakest, but may not always hold well.

So FoamTak in my opinion, offers the best compromise between the two.

But the problem with FoamTak or any other spray-on adhesive, is that it leaves a big mess behind once everything is removed.

So here&#;s a trick I discovered in my own studio:

A DIY Hack I Discovered Through Years of Trial and Error

First, cover both the wall and the back of the foam with clear packaging tape.

Then spray the FoamTak or similar adhesive in between them.

With this method, you&#;ll be able to mount your panels while leaving ZERO adhesive residue on anything.

HOWEVER&#;If you try this idea, proceed at your own risk. Because like I said, every wall and every adhesive is different.  

So test the tape on a small area of the wall first to make sure it can be removed later without damage.

And if all this stuff seems way too complicated, there&#;s one final option you can try which may be the best of all.

Rather than using an adhesive, you could instead try impaling clips, which screw into the wall, and are used to hang your acoustic foam by &#;impaling&#; them.

And that&#;s my final tip of the post.

Acoustic panels&#;what, when, where?

Acoustic panels, acoustic baffles, sound panels, and acoustic boards. The list of names continues. Call it whatever you prefer, just like many manufacturers do. For sake of clarity, we stick to acoustic panels in this guide. Despite the descriptive name, you will find various interpretations, both wide and narrow along with different use cases.

Therefore, in this guide, we will dive into the basics of acoustic panels. More specifically, we will answer the following questions:

What is an acoustic panel?

When to use acoustic panels?

Where to apply acoustic panels?

To get the most out of this guide, make sure to check one of our other guides, The Basics of Noise Reduction, where we zoom in on the essential terminology of acoustics.

How to Choose Acoustical Panels

If you are experiencing unwelcome levels of noise in your office space, gym, cafeteria, or church and want to lower the level of echo, a series of wall or ceiling mounted sound panels is your answer.   Place them in your room, they&#;ll absorb echoes, lower noise levels, and deliver back great quality sound.   Here are 9 tips for choosing your panels:

 

1.  Use Fire Rated Materials to Control Sound

Fiberglass panels are class A fire rated.  Foam panels made of melamine foam are also class A fire rated.  Polyurethane foam is not.  If you are in a public venue, target class A fire-rated sound panels.  See Fabric Panels.

 

2. The Durability of Typical Soundproofing Materials

Foam panels are effective for controlling echoes, but they have a shelf life to them.   Eventually, they will deteriorate over time, crumbling to dust and becoming less and less effective.  Their average shelf life is about 7 years.   Foam is great for music rooms, studio settings, drum booths, etc..but not public venues such as gymnasiums.

 

3. The Beauty of Acoustic Control Panels

Foam panels are sculpted to deliver a variety of patterns.  Fiberglass panels are wrapped in colored acoustically transparent fabric, and can also be custom color paint matched (Blush Panels) or have digital images printed onto the face of the panels to create large beautiful murals that control noise (Picture Panels).

 

4. The Thickness of Sound Absorbing Materials

Thicker panels absorb more low bass frequency noise compared to thinner panels.   If your noise source is musical instruments, such as drums, get at least 3&#; thick foam or 2&#; thick fiberglass panels.   See Pyramids.

 

5.  Placement of Sound Panels is NOT  as Critical

Despite what you may have been told, the location of your panels matters less than the amount of panels you are introducing into your space.   The key is to not under treat your room.   Check with your sound consultant to confirm targeted coverage amounts based on how your room is used along with the size, shape, and surface textures of your room. 

 

6.  Perimeter Walls Can Be an Obstacle to Acoustics

If your perimeter walls have glass, cabinetry, door stages, windows, and other obstructions, then look to do a ceiling treatment instead. Performance will be the same whether you put the panels on the wall or hang them from the ceiling. NetWell&#;s Ceiling Clouds are a popular acoustical ceiling treatment that &#;floats&#; as a cloud over the top of the room.

 

7.  Weather Resistant Soundproofing Panels

If your treatment is outdoors, do not use foam.  Get fiberglass panels that are wrapped in an exterior-grade VCP skin.  

 

8.  Moisture Will Decrease the Effectiveness of Noise Reduction Treatment

If you need moisture-resistant panels, again, don&#;t buy foam.   It can&#;t take moisture.  Get a fiberglass panel with a waterproof membrane.   

Are you interested in learning more about akupanel wood acoustic wall panels China? Contact us today to secure an expert consultation!